Articulating support mechanism with pivotal brake shoe

ABSTRACT

A four bar articulating support mechanism has four pivot axes with one of the pivot axes being movable relative to a linkage of the support arm. The linkage has at least two arcuate slots therein that receive a pin. As the linkage is moved vertically relative to a mounting member, the pin slides in the at least two arcuate slots which pivot about a theoretical third pivot axis. The support arm has two brake shoes that are pivotally mounted on a mounting member, the brake shoes having a locking surface that corresponds to a locking surface on the linkage. The mechanism operates on a parallelogram linkage.

Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/983,703 filed on Oct. 30, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an articulating support mechanism that is used to support articles on a platform, the mechanism being used with a base and the platform moving up or down or pivoting relative to the base.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Keyboard support mechanisms are known and Wisniewski et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,404 issued Oct. 24, 2000 describes a four bar linkage having a keyboard support that can swing vertically relative to a base such as a desk or table top. A central elongated member has a first link and a second link that are pivotally connected to a mounting member at the same pivot point. The support mechanism has a locking system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an articulating support mechanism having four pivot axes between a linkage with a mounting member at one end and a platform at another end. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an articulating support mechanism that locks precisely and securely when the mechanism is in the locked position and unlocks easily to permit further movement.

An articulating support mechanism is used to support one or more objects on a platform, the mechanism being used with a base. The mechanism comprises a linkage having a first end and a second end with a mounting member being pivotally connected with the linkage at the first end and the platform is pivotally connected to the linkage at the second end. The linkage has an upper arm and a lower arm, the upper arm being pivotally connected to the mounting member at a first pivot axis and being pivotally connected to the platform at a second pivot axis. The lower arm has at least one arcuate slot that is connected to the mounting member to enable the lower arm to pivot about a third pivot axis. The lower arm is pivotally connected to the platform at a fourth pivot axis. The pivot axes are parallel to one another and the mounting member is sized and shaped to be mounted on the base and to receive the first end of the linkage. The mounting member and the upper arm are constructed to pivot relative to one another about the first pivot axis. A pin extends through the mounting member and through at least one arcuate slot in the lower arm. The third pivot axis is located along an imaginary line about which the at least one arcuate slot pivots when the linkage moves vertically relative to the mounting member, the pin being slidable in the at least one arcuate slot. A brake shoe is pivotally mounted on the mounting member about a fifth pivot axis. The brake shoe and the linkage have locking surfaces thereon that removably lock with one another in infinite positions of the linkage relative to the mounting member. The linkage is locked by gravitational forces and is releasable by an upward force on the linkage or on the platform or by manually tilting the platform upward. The platform is pivotable relative to the linkage independently of the platform and linkage pivoting relative to the mounting member.

An articulating support mechanism is used to support one or more objects on a platform. The mechanism is usable with a base and comprises a linkage having two ends with a mounting member at one end, and a platform at an opposite end. There are two pivot axes at each end, the pivot axes being parallel to one another. The mounting member is sized and shaped to be mounted on the base, the linkage having an upper arm and a lower arm. The upper arm has a first pivot axis with the mounting member, and a second pivot axis with the platform. The lower arm has a third pivot axis with the mounting member, and a fourth pivot axis with the platform. The mechanism has a pin extending through the mounting member, and through at least one arcuate slot. The at least one arcuate slot is located on the lower arm, the at least one arcuate slot on the lower arm pivoting about the third pivot axis and the pin sliding in the at least one arcuate slot as the linkage moves vertically relative to the mounting member. The third pivot axis is located along an imaginary line. A brake shoe is pivotally mounted on the mounting member about a fifth pivot axis, the brake shoe and the linkage having locking surfaces thereon that removably lock with one another in infinite positions at the linkage relative to the mounting member.

An articulating support mechanism is used in supporting one or more objects on a platform, the mechanism being usable with a base. The mechanism comprises a linkage having two ends with a mounting member at one end and a platform at an opposite end, with two pivot axes at each end. The pivot axes are parallel to one another and the mounting member is sized and shaped to be mounted on the base. The linkage has an upper arm and a lower arm, the upper arm having a first pivot axis with the mounting member and a second pivot axis with the platform. The lower arm has a third pivot axis with the mounting member and the fourth pivot axis with the platform. The mechanism has a pin extending through the mounting member and through at least one arcuate slot, the at least one arcuate slot being located on the lower arm. The at least one arcuate slot in the lower arm pivoting about the third pivot axis, and the pin sliding in the at least one arcuate slot as the linkage moves vertically relative to the mounting member. The third pivot axis is located along an imaginary line. A brake shoe is pivotally mounted on the mounting member by a fifth pivot axis. The brake shoe and the linkage have locking surfaces thereon that removably lock with one another in infinite positions of the linkage relative to the mounting member.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of an articulating support mechanism with a platform in a low position relative to a mounting member;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional side view of that part of FIG. 1 contained in a dotted circle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the articulating support arm;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the articulating support arm with the platform in a high position:

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of that part of the support mechanism contained within a dotted circle of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an outside of a brake shoe;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inside of the brake shoe;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an inside of the brake shoe;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an upper arm;

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the upper arm;

FIG. 11 is a sectional side view of a lower arm;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the lower arm;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mounting member;

FIG. 14 is a sectional side view of the mounting member;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the mounting member.;

FIG. 16 is a sectional side view of the articulating support mechanism as shown in FIG. 4 with a spring added;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of that part of FIG. 16 contained within the dotted circle;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a platform;

FIG. 19 is an end view of the platform;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the platform;

FIG. 21 is a top view of the support arm;

FIG. 22 is a top view of that part of the support arm enclosed within the circle of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1 and 2, an articulating support arm 2 has a linkage 4 with an upper arm 6 and a lower arm 8. The linkage 4 has a first end 10 with a mounting member 12 pivotally connected thereto and a second end 14 with a platform 16 pivotally connected thereto. The upper arm 6 is pivotally connected to a bracket 18 of the mounting member 12 at a first pivot axis 20 and is pivotally connected to the platform 16 at a second pivot axis 22. The lower arm 8 has an arcuate slot 26 that is connected to the bracket 18 of the mounting member 12 to enable the lower arm to pivot about a third pivot axis 30. The lower arm 8 is pivotally connected to the platform 16 at a fourth pivot axis 29. A pin 24 extends through the bracket 18, through an arcuate slot 32 in the upper arm 6 and through the arcuate slot 26 in the lower arm 8, all at the first end 10 of the linkage 4. A point of contact 28 is located between the pin 24 and an edge of the arcuate slot 26 on each side of the support arm 2. The point of contact 28 is movable along the outer edge of the slot 26 as the linkage 4 moves up or down relative to the mounting member 12. The third pivot axis 30 is the pivot axis for the arcuate slot 26 and the lower arm 8. The slot 26 in the lower pivot arm 8 and the slot 32 in the upper pivot arm 6 are oriented to be approximately 180° apart from one another as the slot 32 rotates about the first pivot axis 20 and the slot 26 rotates about the third pivot axis 30. The third pivot axis 30 is imaginary in that there is no pin located at the third pivot axis 30. The pivot axes one through four are configured to form a parallelogram at all times. The first, second and fourth pivot axes and the pin 24 in the slot 26 do not form a parallelogram. The slot 26 is equidistant from the third pivot axis 30. Preferably, there are two slots 26 (only one of which is shown), one located in each side of the bracket 18.

A brake shoe 34 is pivotally mounted about a fifth pivot axis 36 to the bracket 18. The brake shoe 34 has a locking surface 38 that corresponds to a locking surface 40 on the upper arm 6, both of which are shown by a single dotted line. The locking surface 38 curves inward on the brake shoe 34 and the locking surface 40 curves outward at the first end 10 of the linkage 4. The brake shoe has an actuation surface 42 that corresponds to an actuation surface 43 on the lower arm 8. There is one brake shoe 34 on each side of the support mechanism. The actuation surfaces 42, 43 pivot the brake shoes 34 (only one of which is shown) about the pivot axis 36 as the linkage 4 moves upward and downward relative to the mounting member 12. Preferably, the slot 26 is sized to receive an insert 46 that is heat tempered and the pin 24 moves along an inner edge of the insert 46 which defines the slot 26. Alternatively, the slot 26 can be appropriately sized to receive the pin 24 without the insert 46 and the slot 26 can then be heat tempered. The brake shoes 34 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are also preferably heat tempered as is the locking surface of the upper arm 6. The mounting bracket 12 has an upper end 44 that is shaped to be slidably mounted into a base (not shown). The upper end 44 of the mounting bracket 12 is conventional.

In FIG. 3, the reference numerals are the same as those used in FIGS. 1 and 2 for those components that are identical. A universal screw 48 extends through the platform 16 to form the second pivot axis 22 as shown in FIG. 1. A handle 52, washer 54 and nut 56 fit onto the universal screw 48 and allow the handle 52 to be connected thereto. When the handle 52 is rotated in one direction, the angle of the platform 16 relative to the linkage 4 is increased and, when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the angle is decreased.

As an alternative to the universal screw 48, a sleeve 58 fits over a pin 60 (also shown in FIG. 3), which is held in place by a washer 62 and a nut 63 to form the second pivot axis 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The handle 52 is used with the pin 60 and the angle of the platform 16 relative to the linkage 4 is varied by turning the handle in one direction to loosen the pressure of the platform on the ends of the sleeve 58, thereby allowing the platform to be tilted relative to the linkage 4. When the handle 52 is turned in an opposite direction, the handle is tightened and exerts pressure on the sides of the platform 16, which in turn contact the ends of the sleeve 58 to prevent the platform from tilting relative to the linkage 4 simply by the friction of the sides of the platform 16 and the sleeve 58. The operation of both the universal screw 48 or the pin 60 with handle 52 are conventional. The universal screw 48 extends through a threaded cylinder 64 in a drive tilt 65. As the universal screw 48 is rotated by turning the handle 52, the drive tilt 65 moves closer to or further from the handle 52 depending on the direction in which the handle is turned. A pin 66 extends through an upper cylinder 68 of the drive tilt 65. A nut 67 holds the pin 66 in position. The pin 66 and an inside of the upper cylinder 68 are not threaded. The pin 66 extends through suitable openings in an end of the upper arm 6 and the universal screw or pin 60 extend through suitable openings in an end of the lower arm 8. The ends of the upper arm and lower arm referred to are the ends that are pivotally connected to the platform 16. The drive tilt 65 has an abutment 70 that abuts an angled wall, (not shown in FIG. 3) of the platform 16. A height indicator 72 is installed to pivot at the theoretical pivot axis 30 (see FIG. 2) of the lower arm 8. While only one brake shoe 34 is shown, there are preferably two brake shoes 34, one on each side of the support arm 2. Two openings 74, one on each side of the bracket 18, are sized to receive the pin 24. Nodules 76 (only one of which is shown) extend inward on either side of the bracket 18 of the mounting member 12 to receive openings 78 in the upper arm 6 that form the first pivot axis 20.

Two nodules 80 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3), extend inward from the bracket 18 to receive openings 82 in each of the brake shoes 34 to form the fifth pivot axis 36 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 4, there is shown the support mechanism 2 with the linkage 4 and platform 16 raised upward relative to the mounting member 12 from the position shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of that part of the support mechanism 2 that is located within the dotted circle of FIG. 4. The same reference numerals are used in FIGS. 4 and 5 as those used in FIGS. 1 to 3 for those components that are identical. The brake shoe 34 is in the locked position relative to the linkage 4 and, particularly, the upper arm 6. From FIG. 5, it can be seen that the point of contact 28 has moved almost to opposite ends of the slots 26, 32 compared to the location of the point of contact 28 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, there are shown perspective views of an outside and inside of the brake shoe 34 as well as a side view respectively. The same reference numerals in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 as those used in FIGS. 1 to 5 for those components that are identical. Only one of the locking surfaces 40 is shown on the brake shoe 34. The brake shoe has an opening 82 to receive the pin 36 (not shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8).

In FIGS. 9 and 10 there is shown a sectional side view and a perspective view of the upper arm 6. The upper arm 6 has an elongated opening 84 in an upper surface thereof to receive the height indicator (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). The same reference numerals are used in FIGS. 9 and 10 as those used in FIGS. 1 to 6 for those components that are identical.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown a sectional side view and a perspective view respectively of the lower arm 8. The same reference numerals are used in FIGS. 11 and 12 as those used in FIGS. 1 to 5 for those components that are identical. A T-shaped slot 86 in an end that is closer to the mounting member 12 (not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) is used to receive one end of a spring (not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12).

In FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, there is shown a perspective view, a sectional side view and a sectional end view of the mounting member 12. The same reference numerals are used in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 as those used in FIGS. 1 to 5 to describe those components that are identical. The upper end 44 of the mounting member 12 has been omitted from the mounting member shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, the same reference numerals are used as those used in FIGS. 1-15 for those components that are identical. A spring 88 is coiled around the pin 24 with one end 90 located in the T-shaped slot 86 of the lower arm 8 and in opposite end 92 is located against the upper arm 6. The spring 88 was omitted from the previous drawings so as not to obscure the pivot axis 28 (not shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) on the pin 24. The spring 88 assists in raising the linkage for platform 16 relative to the mounting member 12. The brake shoe(s) and the insert(s) are omitted from FIGS. 16 and 17.

In FIGS. 18 to 20, there is shown a top view, end view and side view of the platform 16. In FIG. 18, it can be seen that the platform has an angled wall 94 therein. In FIG. 20, the platform 16 has an arcuate opening 96 and a second opening 98 in each side thereof (only one of which is shown).

In FIGS. 21 and 22, the same reference numerals are used as those used in FIGS. 1 to 20 for those components that are identical. The universal screw 48 extends through the arcuate openings 96 (not shown in FIGS. 21 and 22) on each side of the platform 16 and also through the threaded cylinder 64 in the drive tilt 65. The pin 66 extends through the upper cylinder 68 of the drive tilt 65. As the handle 52 is turned in either direction to rotate the universal screw 48, the drive tilt 65 moves from side-to-side across the platform 16. The drive tilt has an angled projection 100 that is in contact with the angled wall 94. As the angled projection 100 of the drive tilt 65 moves toward the right in the orientation shown in FIG. 22, an angle between the platform 16 and the linkage 4 decreases and as the drive tilt 65 moves towards the left in the orientation shown in FIG. 22, the angle between the platform and the linkage for it decreases.

The support mechanism 2 operates as a four bar parallelogram linkage even though the third pivot axis is imaginary. 

1. An articulating support mechanism for use in supporting one or more objects on a platform, said mechanism being usable with a base, said mechanism comprising a linkage having a first end and a second end with a mounting member being pivotally connected to said linkage at said first end and said platform being pivotally connected to said linkage at said second end, said linkage having an upper arm and a lower arm, said upper arm being pivotally connected to said mounting member at a first pivot axis and being pivotally connected to said platform at a second pivot axis, said lower arm having at least one arcuate slot that is connected to said mounting member to enable said lower arm to pivot about a third pivot axis, said lower arm being pivotally connected to said platform at a fourth pivot axis, said pivot axes being parallel to one another, said mounting member being sized and shaped to be mounted on said base and to receive said first end of said linkage, said mounting member and said upper arm being constructed to pivot relative to one another about said first pivot axis, a pin extending through said mounting member and through said at least one arcuate slot in said lower arm, said third pivot axis being located along an imaginary line about which said at least one arcuate slot pivots when said linkage moves vertically relative to said mounting member, said pin being slidable in said at least one arcuate slot, said first, second, third and fourth pivot axes being in a parallelogram configuration at all times, a brake shoe being pivotally mounted on said mounting member about a fifth pivot axis, said brake shoe and said linkage having locking surfaces thereon that removably lock with one another in infinite positions of said linkage relative to said mounting member, said linkage locking by gravitational forces and being releasable by an upward force on said linkage or on said platform or by manually tilting said platform upward, said platform being pivotable relative to said linkage independently of said platform and said linkage pivoting relative to said mounting member. 2 A support mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pin in said at least one arcuate slot being in a non-parallelogram configuration with said first, second, and fourth pivot axes.
 3. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mounting member, upper arm, and lower arm, each have two sides and said at least one arcuate slot in said lower arm, being two arcuate slots, one arcuate slot being located on each side of said lower arm.
 4. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said arcuate slots of said lower arm are first arcuate slots, said first arcuate slots being equidistant from said third pivot axis.
 5. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein said third pivot axis is theoretical, there being no pin located at said third pivot axis.
 6. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein said upper arm has two second arcuate slots, there being one second arcuate slot in each side of said upper arm, said second arcuate slots being oriented about said first pivot axis.
 7. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein said arcuate slots in said lower arm have a heat tempered insert lining said slot on each side of said lower arm, there being two inserts.
 8. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said arcuate slots in said lower arm are oriented about said third pivot axis, said third pivot axis being a theoretical pivot axis for said mounting member and said lower arm.
 9. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first pivot axis is further from an outer end of said linkage than said third pivot axis.
 10. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said brake shoe has a curved locking surface that is oriented to correspond to a locking surface of said upper arm.
 11. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 10 wherein said locking surface of said brake shoe frictionally engages with said locking surface of said upper arm to lock said mounting member relative to said linkage.
 12. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 11 wherein said locking surface on said brake shoe is curved inward and a locking surface on said upper arm is curved outward.
 13. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 12 wherein said brake shoe is heat tempered.
 14. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 13 wherein said brake shoe is a first brake shoe that is pivotally mounted on one side of said bracket and there is a second brake shoe pivotally mounted on an opposite side of said bracket.
 15. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein said platform can be pivoted relative to said linkage independently of said linkage pivoting relative to said mounting member.
 16. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 14 wherein said second brake shoe is a mirror image of said first brake shoe.
 17. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said brake shoe has an orientation interface that interacts with a surface of said lower arm to cause said brake shoe to lock with said upper arm.
 18. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 14 wherein said brake shoes each have an activation surface that abuts a corresponding activation surface on said lower arm to pivot said brake shoes to maintain said locking surfaces in alignment.
 19. An articulating support mechanism for use in supporting one or more objects on a platform, said mechanism being usable with a base, said mechanism comprising a linkage having a first end and a second end, with a mounting member being pivotally connected to said linkage at said first end and said platform being pivotally connected to said linkage at said second end, said linkage having an upper arm and a lower arm, said upper arm being pivotally connected to said mounting member at a first pivot axis and being pivotally connected to said platform at a second pivot axis, said lower arm being slidably connected to a pin extending through said mounting member and into at least one arcuate slot in said lower arm to enable said lower arm to pivot about a third pivot axis, said lower arm being pivotally connected to said platform at a fourth pivot axis, said pivot axes being parallel to one another, and said mounting member being sized and shaped to be mounted on said base, said first and second and fourth pivot axes and said pin having a non-parallelogram configuration, said first, second, third and fourth pivot axes having a parallelogram configuration at all times, said third pivot axis being imaginary, a brake shoe being pivotally mounted on said mounting member about a fifth pivot axis, said brake shoe and said linkage having locking surfaces thereon that removably lock with one another in infinite positions of said linkage relative to said mounting member, said linkage locking by gravitational forces and being releasable by an upward force on said linkage or on said platform or by manually tilting said platform upward, said platform being pivotable relative to said linkage independently of said platform and said linkage pivoting relative to said mounting member.
 20. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 19 wherein said mounting member, upper arm, and lower arm each have two sides and said at least one arcuate slot in said lower arm, being two arcuate slots, one arcuate slot being located on each side of said lower arm.
 21. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 20 wherein said arcuate slots of said lower arm are first arcuate slots, said first arcuate slots being oriented about said third pivot axis, there being no pin located at said third pivot axis.
 22. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 21 wherein said upper arm has two second arcuate slots, there being one second arcuate slot in each side of said upper arm, said second arcuate slots being oriented about said first pivot axis.
 23. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 21 wherein said arcuate slots in said lower arm each have a heat tempered insert lining said slot, there being two inserts.
 24. An articulating support mechanism for use in supporting one or more objects on a platform, said mechanism being usable with a base and comprising a linkage having two ends with a mounting member at one end and a platform at an opposite end, with two pivot axes at each end, said pivot axes being parallel to one another, said mounting member being sized and shaped to be mounted on said base, said linkage having an upper arm and a lower arm, said upper arm having a first pivot axis with said mounting member and a second pivot axis with said platform, said lower arm having a third pivot axis with said mounting member and a fourth pivot axis with said platform, said mechanism having a pin extending through said mounting member and through at least one arcuate slot, said at least one arcuate slot being located on said lower arm, said at least one arcuate slot in said lower arm pivoting about said third pivot axis and said pin sliding in said at least one arcuate slot as said linkage moves vertically relative to said mounting member, said third pivot axis being located along an imaginary line, a brake shoe being pivotally mounted on said mounting member about a fifth pivot axis, said brake shoe and said linkage having locking surfaces thereon that removably lock with one another in infinite positions of said linkage relative to said mounting member.
 25. A support mechanism as claimed in claim 24 wherein said mounting member, upper arm, and lower arm, each have two sides and said at least one arcuate slot in said lower arm, being two arcuate slots, one arcuate slot being located on each side of said lower arm. 